Brick is everywhere in Arlington and DFW, on home exteriors, mailboxes, planters, and walkways. It holds up for decades, but it also collects mildew, red clay splash, sprinkler stains, and a chalky white residue. Here is how to clean it without doing damage.
The Short Answer
To clean brick, wet it first, apply a brick-safe cleaning solution, let it work, then scrub with a stiff nylon brush or rinse at low pressure. Avoid high pressure. It can blast out mortar, pit the face of the brick, and leave marks that do not wash away.
What You Need
- A garden hose or pressure washer with a wide-angle nozzle
- A cleaner made for masonry, or a mild dish soap solution for light dirt
- A stiff nylon brush (not a wire brush)
- Gloves and eye protection
Step-by-Step: How to Clean Brick
1. Wet the brick first
Brick is porous. Soaking it with plain water first keeps the cleaner on the surface instead of letting it soak deep into the brick and mortar.
2. Apply the cleaner
Work in small sections from the bottom up. For mildew and algae, use a cleaner that is made to kill organic growth.
3. Let it work and scrub
Give it a few minutes, but do not let it dry. Scrub stubborn spots with a nylon brush.
4. Rinse from the top down
Rinse thoroughly with low pressure and a wide spray. Keep the nozzle a few feet away from the wall and never aim directly at mortar joints.
Common Brick Stains and What Causes Them
- Green or black growth: mildew and algae on shaded walls. Needs a cleaner that kills the growth.
- Red or orange splash: clay soil splashed up by rain and sprinklers, usually near the base of the wall.
- White, powdery residue: efflorescence, which is salt left behind as water moves through the brick.
- Orange spots near sprinklers: often iron in the water. See hard water spots on brick.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Using a narrow nozzle or high pressure close to the wall
- Scrubbing with a wire brush, which scratches the surface and can leave rust marks
- Letting cleaning solution dry on the brick in the sun
- Skipping the pre-wet, which lets cleaner soak in too deep
When to Call a Pro
Whole-house brick, two-story walls, heavy growth, or older and softer brick are good reasons to hire help. We clean brick with a low-pressure soft wash method. See stone and brick cleaning and soft washing. For a full exterior, see house washing, which typically runs $250 to $550 in DFW.
Ready for a quote? Call 817-580-9881 or request a free estimate online. We serve Arlington, Fort Worth, Dallas, Grand Prairie, Mansfield, and the rest of our DFW service areas.
Related: How to remove efflorescence from brick
Related: How to clean limestone
Related: Can you pressure wash bricks?
FAQs
Can you pressure wash brick?
Yes, but only at low pressure with a wide-angle nozzle and a proper cleaner. High pressure can erode mortar and damage the face of the brick.
What is the best cleaner for brick?
For light dirt, a mild soap solution works. For mildew and algae, use a masonry-safe cleaner made to kill organic growth.
What is the white powder on my brick?
That is usually efflorescence, salt left behind as water moves through the brick. It often returns until the source of moisture is addressed.
How often should brick be cleaned?
Most brick homes in North Texas look best with a cleaning about once a year, with shaded walls sometimes needing more.
